Efficacy of Endophytic Fungi Extracts on Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus Larvae

Abstract

Chemical substances are commonly used to eliminate mosquito larvae and adult mosquitoes. However, their widespread use has led to the development of resistance in mosquito populations and poses risks to human health and the environment. This study aims to discover natural extracts from endophytic fungi that are effective in killing Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus larvae. A total of 300 plant samples were collected from rubber, palm, and fruit plantations. From these, 45 endophytic fungal species were isolated based on colony morphology, mycelial characteristics, and nucleotide sequencing of the ITS region. The fungi were cultured to prepare both cell culture and cell extracts at a concentration of 500 ppm. These extracts were tested for larvicidal activity using the larvicidal selective bioassay method. Results showed that five fungal species, including Arcopilus cupreus, Endomelanconiopsis endophytica, Nemania primolutea, Penicillium citrinum, and Trichoderma reesei were effective against Aedes aegyti larvae. Meanwhile, ten species were effective against Aedes albopictus larvae, including Neopestalotiopsis sp., Nodulisporium sp., Endomelanconiopsis endophytica, Neodeightonia phoenicum, Penicillium steckii, Phyllosticta capitalensis, Pseudopithomyces maydicus, Fusarium sp., Talaromyces aurantiacus and Colletotrichum sp. Further larvicidal bioassay dose testing at 100 ppm revealed that Nemania primolutea and Arcopilus cupreus, isolated from palm and mangosteen trees, achieved mortality rates of 80 and 77% against Aedes aegypti larvae, respectively. For Aedes albopictus, Neopestalotiopsis sp. and Neodeightonia phoenicum (from palm and rubber plantations) showed high efficacy with mortality rates of 92 and 73%. These findings highlight the potential of endophytic fungal extracts as eco-friendly alternatives to chemical larvicides. The identified extracts can be further developed into powder or spray formulations for mosquito-borne disease control programs.